Feeling Stuck, Overwhelmed, or Stressed? Try This One Simple Trick.

Hey beautiful mind,

Homesickness is a kind of grief, isn’t it? You’re mourning a life you left behind while fumbling your way through a new one that doesn’t feel quite yours yet. That’s how it was for me when I moved to Spain. I thought it would be all sunshine and siestas, but what no one tells you is that even the prettiest cobblestone streets can’t quiet the voice in your head whispering, “Do you really belong here?” 

I felt stuck and trapped inside myself. Every morning I’d wake up feeling heavier than the day before, as if homesickness was a weight that grew overnight. Calls home didn’t help. Neither did comfort food– believe me, even the tastiest churros couldn’t fill the void. 

It’s wild how being in a new country evoked irrational nostalgia for the weirdest things, like the sound of lawnmowers at 7 a.m., late night Target runs, and grocery stores with more than two cereal options. I felt stuck and started to believe I’d made a terrible mistake. 

One night, after realizing I’d memorized the Spanish subtitles of Friends, I decided I couldn’t take another hour staring at the TV. I wasn’t sure where I was going or what I was doing—I just needed to move. So, I walked out the door. 

I didn’t know it at the time, but that step saved me. This is when I discovered the magic of the paseo, Spain’s sacred evening stroll. My first paseo felt... awkward at first. There were no errands to run, no podcasts to listen to, no purpose at all except to walk. 

But as I wandered, something unexpected happened. My racing thoughts began to slow. The knot in my chest loosened. The world around me— the laughter of children playing soccer in plazas, elderly couples arm in arm, the smell of fresh bread from bakeries—reminded me that life could be simple and good. And that a sense of “home” could be cultivated anywhere.

What started as a random attempt to escape my funk turned into a daily ritual and a lifeline. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, homesick, or lost, I’d lace up my shoes and hit the streets. These walks became my therapy. Ideas would bloom mid-stride and tiny solutions to problems I couldn’t untangle would emerge. By the time I returned, I’d feel lighter, more me. 

Walking didn’t just get me through my time in Spain—it taught me how to care for myself in a way I’d never understood before. It showed me that movement could heal in ways no phone call or Netflix or food binge ever could. 

Now, I’m convinced that walking is the unsung hero of mental health. And while walking didn’t fix my problems, it did give me the clarity and courage to face them. And it made me feel smugly European. Small victories.

Turns out, I’m not alone in this discovery. Some of the greatest minds in history swore by the power of walking. Steve Jobs famously held walking meetings because sitting killed his creativity. He walked to innovate. I walk to procrastinate. We’re basically the same.

Beethoven composed entire symphonies on foot. Virginia Woolf would refine drafts of her novels during her daily walks. Albert Einstein typically walked a mile and a half daily as he refined his thoughts and theories on quantum mechanics. Charles Darwin took three 45-minute walks every day so he could absorb the life and energy of London’s streets, a testament to the inspiration he drew for his novels. Friedrich Nietzsche believed “all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking” and would walk alone for up to eight hours a day.

Science and research backs this up too. Studies show walking improves creativity and mood and reduces anxiety—unless you’re walking behind someone who keeps stopping to check their phone. Then it’s a different story. But it’s basically free therapy without the awkward silences. Plus, I’ve put together a handy list of walking prompts that you can download and use to face any of life’s emotional moments below.👇

Fast-forward to now, and we’re in the thick of the holiday season. It’s that time of the year when after all that turkey, the couch isn’t just an option—it’s a gravitational force that beckons you to collapse on it in a post-feast coma.

But what if we didn’t? What if we took a walk instead? Sure, you could nap. But wouldn’t it be more satisfying to walk and silently judge all the neighbors’ lawn decorations?

Plus a quick post-meal stroll doesn’t just help with digestion. It’s a complete reset button. It clears your head, opens up space for connection, and lets you step out of the holiday madness for just a little while. And if you’re lucky, you might come back with a renewed sense of calm—or at least a little extra room for pecan pie.

As for me, walking saved me when I thought I couldn’t save myself. It gave me back to myself, one step at a time. Holiday time or not, maybe it can do the same for you. 

So, whenever life feels a little too much, just step outside. Walk. Don’t worry about where you’re going—just move forward. I promise something beautiful will meet you on the way. 

Here with you at every step,

Shakila

p.s. as promised, here’s a handy list of reflective walking prompts you can use to face any life situation.👇